Denise Michelle Gerhardt

Beloved spouse, devoted and wonderful mother, loving daughter, American Soldier and veteran. Born into a Marine Corps family in South Carolina, Denise grew up in Florida, Tennessee, California and Texas.

After entering the U.S. Army in 1983, she excelled as a combat/flight medic, combat veteran of the First Gulf War, and subsequently had a distinguished career as a military physician assistant. She was medically retired from the Army in 2002.

Refocusing her life on our home, Denise continued to be the heart of our family, an anchor of stability, and our compass in life. Despite a chronic illness, she remained active as a parent-volunteer at Thousand Oaks Elementary, a children's religious educator at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and a vocal supporter of our children's artistic and athletic pursuits.

Denise is survived by her husband, LTC Bob Gerhardt, MD, USA; children, Emily, Ruth, Michael, and Charles; parents, Patsy and MgySgt Charles Benson, USMC Ret.; brothers Msgt L. Darryl Benson, USMC, Mark Swearengen, and 1SG Earl Swearengen, USA Ret.; sister Deanna Holden; and pets Rascal and Humphrey.

While our family will bear this sadness and the world will be worse for her loss, we believe that she is wearing her crown in Heaven, and she continues to live on in our hearts as a beloved life partner and mom.